Infant Assistant Teacher

TRFCF; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Vacation Leave

Sick Leave

401(k)

Professional Development

Job summary

TRF is seeking an Infant Assistant Teacher to create a safe, nurturing classroom where infants and toddlers thrive. You will help implement Emergent Curriculum, support daily routines, and observe each child’s development while building trust with families.

You will collaborate with a teaching team, organize learning areas, and provide developmentally appropriate activities to foster independence and curiosity in a warm, home-like environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 Units in Early Childhood Education, including 3 units in Infant/Toddler and an Assistant Teacher Permit from CCTC.
• Strong English reading/writing and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Ability to communicate professionally with staff, families, and diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist with implementing Emergent Curriculum and developmentally appropriate activities.
• Prepare weekly lesson plans with indoor/outdoor activities based on each child’s needs and interests.
• Provide multicultural materials reflecting children and families in the program.
• Maintain a home-like, organized, safe, and stimulating classroom environment.
• Support diapering, toileting, meals, naps, and daily routines.
• Observe and document developmental progress and support screenings as needed.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Active listening

Team collaboration

Education

12 Units ECE incl Infant/Toddlers

Job description

Description

Create a Place Where Little Ones Feel Safe, Loved, and Ready to Learn

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

The first years of a child's life are filled with important moments of growth and discovery. Infants and toddlers are learning to trust, communicate, explore, build relationships, and develop independence every day.

As an Infant Assistant Teacher at TRF, you will help create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel secure and supported while developing at their own pace.

You will support the implementation of our Emergent Curriculum, assist with daily routines and lesson planning, observe children's development, and create meaningful experiences based on each child's interests, needs, and developmental stage.

This is more than caring for children. You are helping build the foundation for their early learning, development, and sense of security.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT IF YOU...

• Enjoy working with infants and toddlers and understand their unique developmental needs.
• Are patient, nurturing, attentive, and responsive to children's individual cues.
• Enjoy creating meaningful learning experiences through play, exploration, and everyday routines.
• Are comfortable supporting diapering, toilet training, meals, snacks, naps, and other daily routines.
• Understand the importance of creating a calm, home-like environment where children feel safe and secure.
• Enjoy observing children and learning about their interests, strengths, and developmental progress.
• Build positive and respectful relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Are dependable, organized, and ready to work as part of a collaborative teaching team.
• Bring a positive attitude and are committed to continued professional growth.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

• Hands-on experience supporting infant and toddler development.
• Experience implementing an Emergent Curriculum in a state-funded early childhood program.
• Opportunities to strengthen your classroom management, observation, and teaching skills.
• Experience creating developmentally appropriate activities based on children's interests and needs.
• Opportunities to build meaningful relationships with children and families.
• Professional development, staff training, and ongoing learning opportunities.
• The opportunity to grow your career within TRF.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

In this role, you will help create an infant and toddler classroom where children feel safe, connected, and excited to explore their world.

CREATE AN ENGAGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

• Assist with implementing the Emergent Curriculum and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Assist with preparing weekly lesson plans that include indoor and outdoor activities based on children's individual needs, interests, and schedules.
• Provide multicultural educational materials and activities that reflect the children and families in the program.
• Help organize the classroom according to children's developmental levels and individual needs.
• Create opportunities for children to develop trust, emotional security, self-awareness, autonomy, self-expression, and gross and fine motor skills.
• Help maintain a home-like, organized, safe, sanitary, and stimulating classroom environment.
• Organize developmentally appropriate learning areas and rotate materials to keep children engaged.
• Support safe and developmentally appropriate diapering and toilet-training routines.

SUPPORT CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT

• Build secure relationships with assigned infants and toddlers through primary and continuity of care.
• Respond to children's cries, babbles, sounds, and communication in a calm, caring, and nurturing manner.
• Use positive and appropriate child guidance strategies.
• Observe children throughout the day and document developmental observations and milestones.
• Assist with developmental screenings and referrals as assigned.
• Maintain accurate and updated individual and group developmental checklists.
• Support children's learning through play, sensory experiences, movement, language, and everyday interactions.
• Provide meals and snacks according to each child's age, development, and individual needs.
• Participate in family-style dining and follow program procedures and applicable standards.

KEEP CHILDREN SAFE

• Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
• Follow required child-to-staff ratios and all health and safety requirements.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and hazard-free classroom.
• Follow proper procedures for diapering, toileting, meals, and other caregiving routines.
• Maintain accurate attendance, food reports, in-kind reports, and other required records.
• Report concerns appropriately and follow program procedures for incidents and mandated reporting.
• Ensure classroom materials and equipment are safe and developmentally appropriate.

BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILIES

Children thrive when families and teachers work together.

You will:

• Greet children and families warmly each day and help create a positive transition between home and the center.
• Build respectful and trusting relationships with parents and caregivers.
• Maintain ongoing, professional communication with families about their child's activities, development, and experiences.
• Share classroom activities and ideas that families can continue at home to support their child's learning.
• Encourage families to participate in workshops, trainings, classroom activities, and other program events.
• Help create a strong home-to-center connection and meaningful family partnership.

HOW YOU SHOW UP

At TRF, we believe infant and toddler educators have the opportunity to make a lasting impact during some of the most important years of a child's development.

You are patient and calm, even when a child is having a difficult moment.

You understand that infants and toddlers communicate in many different ways, and you take the time to notice and respond to their cues.

You create structure and consistency while giving children opportunities to explore, make choices, and develop independence.

You understand that caregiving routines—feeding, diapering, comforting, playing, and talking—are also opportunities for learning and connection.

You communicate openly and respectfully with families and coworkers.

You take safety seriously and understand that active supervision and responsive caregiving are essential to every child's well-being. You bring warmth, patience, creativity, and intention to your work—and you understand that the way you show up each day can make a lasting impression on a child's earliest experiences.

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Vacation, Sick Leave, 401(k), and Professional Development Opportunities.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

• A minimum of 12 Units in Early Childhood Education, including 3 Units in Infant/Toddler and an Assistant Teacher Permit issued from CCTC.
• Previous experience working with Infants and Toddlers ages Birth-24 Months
• Ability to read, write, and communicate using proper English grammar
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with wide range of individuals, including, staff and parents

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Complete a physical examination (LIC 503), and provide proof of immunization for the following: influenza, Tdap, MMR, and a Current TB test
• Submission of satisfactory proof of your identity and your legal authorization to work in the United States. If you fail to submit this proof, federal law prohibits us from hiring you.
• Complete Child Abuse Mandated Reporter (AB1207)
• Criminal Record Clearance (DOJ/FBI/CACI)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Compensation: $19 to $23 per hour